ROLL THE BONES

Similar in sound to Presto (Rupert Hine once again at the helm of the project, it almost sounds as though they have kept the exact same sound settings on the recording console/computer) but less creative. Certainly not as bad as some might say, but not as good as others might say.

First track "Dreamline" opens the album with a straight ahead rock groove. Nothing really reminiscent of former glory, but still an honest, catchy song. Great concert track.

"Bravado" sounds like an attempt at recreating "The Pass", but with a U2-ish overall mood to it, which sets it apart. A beautiful song, though I prefer "The Pass". Keep an ear open for Neil's drum parts, as it continually evolves, from a hi-hat - bass drum beat to the amazing final drum part where he shows he can still be creative, even within a slower, more mellow mood.

The love-or-hate title track "Roll The Bones" is a nice groovy rock number, with what probably is one of Rush's most catchy choruses ever. You do what you want with the rap part, I am not ashamed to say I liked it, especially lyric-wise (ever heard any rap songs with words like "parallax, gluteus max, almanachs, etc...). I can only imagine Neil Peart in the studio behind the microphone with a baseball cap worn front to back with a giant gold chain around his neck... he must have had a blast !

"Face Up" didn't grab me, it sounds like a left over from Presto (which I love), but leftovers are not leftovers for nothing. A bit uninspired, filler in my opinion.

The instrumental "Where's my Thing ?" is one of the best tracks, if not the best track of the album. It was the first instrumental track since "YYZ", so the guys had a blast and it shows. Some parts remind me of "Leave that Thing Alone", the great instrumental found on Counterparts. Some jazzy feel to them both.

"The Big Wheel" ... hmm... If you've read my review for Presto tracks "Anagram" and "Hand Over Fist", same goes here. Filler, and bad filler.

"Heresy" could have been from "Hold Your Fire", it reminds me alot of "Second Nature", in all it's aspects except the lyrics. Good song.

"Ghost of a Chance" is a strange number, with a somewhat dark rock theme and the chorus of a ballad. Weird mix, but it works. Alex's guitar work I like a lot in this song.

The last two tracks, "Neurotica" and "You Bet your Life" are both fillers with nothing remotely memorable about them.

Definitely good but far from essential.